VANCOUVER, Canada—On the last leg of its 106-day journey across Canada, the 2010 Winter Olympic torch is taking its final steps through Downtown Vancouver before arriving at the Opening Ceremony Friday evening.
Since early in the day, thousands of patriotic Canadians gathered in Vancouver’s Stanley Park, one of the city’s main tourist attractions, to watch California governor and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger carry the Olympic torch.
The torch was passed through Downtown Vancouver by hands of celebrities including Seb Coe, chair of London 2012 Organizing Committee, Rolly Fox, father of Canadian cancer hero Terry Fox, and Walter Gretzky, father of Canadian hockey star Wayne Gretzky.
“It was amazing. I saw Walter Gretzky carrying [the torch,]” said Cynthia Langan, a Vancouver resident. “I live in Vancouver, so I am very proud of our city. It is nice to see the different people and cultures coming together.”
At about 8 o’clock in the morning, thousands of spectators holding Canadian flags jammed the busiest streets and intersections of downtown Vancouver.
On their way to work, many office workers joined the legion of well-wishers, calling out “Go Canada, go!”
As the relay moved on, many chose to chase after the torch in the hopes of catching a second glimpse of this once-in-a-lifetime experience for most Vancouverites.
Since early in the day, thousands of patriotic Canadians gathered in Vancouver’s Stanley Park, one of the city’s main tourist attractions, to watch California governor and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger carry the Olympic torch.
The torch was passed through Downtown Vancouver by hands of celebrities including Seb Coe, chair of London 2012 Organizing Committee, Rolly Fox, father of Canadian cancer hero Terry Fox, and Walter Gretzky, father of Canadian hockey star Wayne Gretzky.
“It was amazing. I saw Walter Gretzky carrying [the torch,]” said Cynthia Langan, a Vancouver resident. “I live in Vancouver, so I am very proud of our city. It is nice to see the different people and cultures coming together.”
At about 8 o’clock in the morning, thousands of spectators holding Canadian flags jammed the busiest streets and intersections of downtown Vancouver.
On their way to work, many office workers joined the legion of well-wishers, calling out “Go Canada, go!”
As the relay moved on, many chose to chase after the torch in the hopes of catching a second glimpse of this once-in-a-lifetime experience for most Vancouverites.
Half an hour after the torch passed Hornby Street at Georgia Street, where the Vancouver Art Gallery resides, Aqeel Alshowaikhat, a student in Vancouver from Saudi Arabia, still lingered around the Olympic countdown clock, mesmerized by the Olympic spirit.
“It was … I can’t express my feelings,” said Alshowaikhat. “I felt stunned, seeing the torch live. It was just such a lifetime experience. Now I have an idea about the Olympic Games.”
The torch relay will end at the Aboriginal Pavillion, Georgia Street and Homer Street, at about 1:45 p.m. local time (4:45 p.m. EST).
Later in the evening, a secret final torchbearer will carry the flame its remaining steps to light the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony at about 8:30 p.m. (11:30 p.m. EST).
“It was … I can’t express my feelings,” said Alshowaikhat. “I felt stunned, seeing the torch live. It was just such a lifetime experience. Now I have an idea about the Olympic Games.”
The torch relay will end at the Aboriginal Pavillion, Georgia Street and Homer Street, at about 1:45 p.m. local time (4:45 p.m. EST).
Later in the evening, a secret final torchbearer will carry the flame its remaining steps to light the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony at about 8:30 p.m. (11:30 p.m. EST).
